World Distribution Services

CLEVELAND, OH – May 24, 2017 – World Distribution Services (WDS) is pleased to announce the relocation of its larger and newly built warehousing and distribution facility in Savannah, GA, close to the Gateway of American Commerce, the Port of Savannah. The state-of-the-art 150,000 square-foot facility, with contiguous expansion space, is now fully operational.

Located just 5 minutes away from the Port of Savannah with easy access to the Interstate, the new WDS Class-A facility boasts 20 dock doors, increased security with cameras, dock height and ground level access, and indoor loading, crossdock and transload capabilities. It is also Liquor Permitted, USDA and FDA Certified. All of these features enable WDS to provide exceptional warehousing and distribution services for customers in the machinery, chemical, automotive, food, beverage, and apparel industries. Previously WDS was leasing a 100,000 square-foot warehouse in Savannah, GA that has now transitioned to the new location with room to grow.

The transition was spurred to meet the increasing need for warehousing and distribution space in the region. According to JOC, growing Asian import traffic and e-commerce have been fueling the demand for space, with the port of Savannah having its busiest year ever in loaded container traffic in 2016, handling 2.94 million twenty-foot equivalent container units, a 2.5 percent increase over the prior year.

“We are pleased to have taken another step forward in executing our strategic expansion plans on the US East Coast,” said Senior Vice President, John Morrow. “A critical part of this development was to ensure we secured additional contiguous space to grow into. The recent deal includes 100,000 square feet of expansion space in addition to the current 150,000 sq. ft. warehousing space. This will allow us to continue our commitment supporting our clients’ distribution needs in the Southeast. Our clients’ businesses are growing, and so is their need for warehousing space. We are here to meet that need now and in the future.”

As part of The World Group, WDS also expanded their logistics network with their intermodal drayage company, who have added a significant number of trucks into the market to support WDS and World Shipping clients. WDS continues to bring competitive advantage to the Savannah market and enjoys becoming an active member in the local maritime logistics community.

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations. In addition to the WDS corporate headquarters located in Cleveland, Ohio, WDS offers 11 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates three intermodal Class I rail facilities in the Midwest and Columbus, OH that offer bulk transload services, specialized heavy and oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service. WDS is a division of The World Group, leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.

In response to the growing industrial warehousing demand in Savannah, GA, World Distribution Services (WDS) announced the relocation and expansion of its warehouse and distribution facility in the Southeast region. The newly built, Class-A, 150,000 square-foot facility is ahead of schedule, with an anticipated opening date set for June 1, 2017.

“It’s important we announce our elevated service offerings through a new Savannah, GA expansion” said Dale Young, Director of Warehousing & Distribution for WDS. “The market remains tight for space and the timing is great for us to launch this new facility,” Young explained, “This is a great opportunity for us to provide the space our customers need for their growing businesses in the region.”

Savannah, GA is the 2nd largest port terminal on the East Coast and a significant logistical hub for both importers and exporters. The new warehouse is strategically located 9 miles from the port, directly off Jimmy DeLoach Parkway in Pooler, GA. Senior Vice President, John Morrow states, “WDS is pleased with their progress to date. The warehouse’s close proximity to the Port of Savannah adds further value to their services and high speed connectivity to the highway systems.”

WDS currently has an existing 100,000 square-foot warehouse in Savannah, GA that will soon be transitioning to its new location. As part of World Group of Companies, WDS also expanded their logistics network with their intermodal drayage company, who have added a significant number of trucks into the market to support WDS and World Shipping clients. WDS continues to bring competitive advantage to the Savannah market and enjoys becoming an active member in the local maritime logistics community.

The WDS Savannah warehouse and distribution facility will be located at:

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations. In addition to the WDS corporate headquarters located in Cleveland, Ohio, WDS offers 11 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates three intermodal Class I rail facilities in the Midwest and Columbus, OH that offer bulk transload services, specialized heavy and oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service. WDS is a division of The World Group of Companies, leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.

World Distribution Services announces that they have more than doubled their agricultural commodity transload capacity through the addition of a second high speed conveyor system at their state-of-the-art Container Transload Facility (CTF) in Columbus, Ohio. This facility utilizes a wide range of services offered by The World Group of Companies. Services include:

Bulk Transloading Services: Bulk Hopper Trucks & Rail Cars

Bulk Agriculture Trucking

Drayage & Regional Trucking in Support of CTF Activity

Exclusive On-Site Intermodal Rail Service in conjunction with Norfolk Southern

“The benefit for customers,” says Jackie Csiszar, Director, Business Development, “is that we streamline the process. Now agricultural goods, steel and other Midwestern commodities can be easily moved between points in the United States and points around the world in one simplified step. The location is extremely convenient for customers – particularly in the Midwest.”

This world-class facility acts as a hub for intermodal services – connecting Columbus to the Port of Norfolk and other USEC, USWC and Canadian Ports via a private, on-site intermodal rail operation featuring 48-hour transit time to on-dock Norfolk.

This transload service – coupled with competitive rail rates from Columbus to on-dock Norfolk rail operations for export moves and our close partnership with the Port of Norfolk – allows us to provide a world-class experience that is second to none,” explains Csiszar. “Additionally, all of these cost savings created by our integrated system go back to the customer’s bottom line. We take pride in finding new solutions in response to internal and external challenges – CTF provides a solution to streamline the process and ensure our customers’ ROI is optimized.”

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations.

WDS offers 11 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates seven intermodal Class I rail facilities in the US Midwest & the Columbus, OH in addition to its private intermodal rail facility at the CTF in Columbus, OH.

WDS, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is a division of World Shipping, Inc., leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.

Learn more at www.worldds.net including a short video on our CTF operation that can be found under the Locations tab at Columbus – CTF.

For those of us who work in – and with – the intermodal industry, one thing is clear. Often, the most challenging – and expensive – parts of the process are the first and last miles. I often hear from customers who, prior to working with my team and I at World Shipping, Inc., have experienced gaps in efficiency across the supply chain that cause them deep delays and balloon costs. The World Group difference has always been to innovate on behalf of our customers – connecting modes and expanding the services that count.

It was an honor to share our experience as a leader in finding solutions for moving cargo throughout all modes of transportation – domestically and worldwide. Since 1960, when the St. Lawrence Seaway opened and our founder Jack Hunger recognized the need for vessel operations, we quickly grew into the leading vessel husbandry company in the Great Lakes. Today, we continue to understand the importance of that “first mile” as we service a wide array of customers – a testament to early innovation and a dedication to superior customer service.

We have built strong partnerships with our customers, each of the ports on the Great Lakes that we service (this year, adding all Lake Ontario Ports to our network), U.S. and Canadian Government Officials, along with many vendors who service these vessels. These types of relationships combine with our extensive track record in this region to allow us to be the premier partner to anyone moving freight – or thinking about doing so – in the region. This directly translates to our ability to help customers save money while conducting “last mile” transactions in the Great Lakes

Finally, I had a chance to showcase one of World Shipping’s newest examples of innovating to stay a step ahead of customer requests: The WDS Container Transload Facility (CTF). This one-of-a-kind logistics hub located in Columbus, Ohio perfectly brings together all services to support the process through the “last mile.”

It was a pleasure to be invited to share our story at the 10th Annual Ohio Conference on Freight. I look forward to more opportunities to come!

SAVANNAH, GA (June 7, 2016) – World Distribution Services is proud to announce the opening of their new facility close to the Gateway of American Commerce, the Port of Savannah, in Savannah, Georgia. The expansion in Savannah adds to the world-class logistics network and well-established warehousing footprint that WDS has in the United States.

“We look forward to elevating our service offerings through our expansion in this market,” says WDS Vice President, John Morrow. “This facility exhibits many exciting features such as: 100,000 square feet, 12 dock doors, 28’ clear height, expansive trailer parking and easy access to all major freeways. Our proximity to port allows for quick freight turnaround times and the ability to meet last minute export shipments.”

Morrow continues: “This strategic expansion demonstrates the commitment WDS has to offering shippers and freight forwarders a single source for logistics solutions using the interconnected warehousing network that WDS has built across the U.S. With the Savannah facility, we now have a new hub for American commerce.”

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz expands on this, providing impressive stats about the “Gateway to American Commerce. “The Port of Savannah is centrally located to serve the U.S. Southeast – the fastest growing region in the nation. This is illustrated by the fact that 22% of the U.S. population and industry is best served by the Port of Savannah and 44% are within easy reach of the inland connectivity infrastructure. As cargo demands parallel the population growth of this region, efficient access to trade via Georgia’s ports will become even more vital.”

Dale Young, Regional Operations Manager for WDS reflects the same enthusiasm for the partnership between WDS and the Port of Savannah. “We are very excited to begin offering services to our valued customers in the Savannah market! The work that the Georgia Ports Authority has done to grow the Port of Savannah and position it to take advantage of new market opportunities now and in the future, played a large role in our decision to locate our new facility here in Savannah. The Port has been a great partner throughout this process, and we look forward to growing that partnership and becoming an active member in the local maritime logistics community.”The new facility will be located at 47 Sonny Perdue Drive Garden City, Georgia.

No matter where in the world a product or piece of machinery needs to go, World Shipping can get it there. “We’re a middle-market company that’s focused on high-service delivery to the discerning international shipper,” President and CEO Fred Hunger says.

World Shipping’s advantage in the logistics market stems from the ability to coordinate and connect its subsidiary companies, each of which specializes in aspects of the supply chain. “We tie together our assets, such as trucks, chassis, tank fleet, warehouses with our customs house brokerage, import/export teams, international offices and deep-sea operations. There’s virtually no international logistics move that we can’t solve or perform with our group,” Hunger explains.

The typical World Shipping customer is focused on manufacturing and marketing products and needs a partner to provide shipping solutions. “They’re relying on us to provide a global, effective distribution system for them,” Hunger says of clients. World Shipping’s subsidiaries have offices in more than a dozen countries, allowing the company to provide customers with a local structure and to work closely with manufacturing clients to lessen the time it takes to deliver a product to market. “Our company has a proud history of providing world-class customer service. We now look to build on that legacy with key investments in technology and skin in the game in terms of assets to service clients,” Hunger adds. “[We are] growing globally while maintaining our continued focus on service and quality.”

Fred Hunger’s father, Jack Hunger, founded World Shipping in 1960 following the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway the year before. The series of canals and locks made the Atlantic Ocean accessible to Great Lakes communities and provided business opportunities for logistics companies, such as World Shipping, to coordinate the rising delivery of goods to the region. By the 1960s, containers had become a more significant part of the shipping industry and World Shipping transitioned its business to liner agents for steam ships to enter the global trade market. “Over time we have grown strategically into a complete international logistics company,” Hunger says.

CLEVELAND, OH (November 11th, 2015) – World Shipping, Inc. honored local veterans during a ceremony and celebration on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 at 11:00am. U.S Air Force veteran, Chris Castell, presented World Shipping, Inc. with the U.S flag he earned while serving oversees as Director of Supply Chain, Logistics & Operations. Castell served in the U.S Air Force for over 15 years before entering into a successful career in supply chain management and logistics, as a civilian. Castell now works for the Rocky River-based company as Director of Operations, North America at NewPort Tank Containers (A World Group Company).

“I am so proud to work for a company that is passionate about recognizing employees that have honorably served our country. Not all employers take the time to celebrate their teams. The fact that the World Shipping, Inc. does take the time to acknowledge our employee milestones, shows that we are a company that operates with integrity.”

John Hunger, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer for World Shipping, Inc. emphasized the importance of taking the time to honor employee veterans; “We as a company believe in the importance of showcasing the achievements of our employees. One of the greatest achievements that we’ve been able to identify, are the 27 individuals within our organization that are United States Veterans. These men and women have stood up for our country and have allowed us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. The very minimum of what we can do is recognize them for their service.”

The timing of the ceremony was significant, as it represented the historical events that transpired causing Veterans Day to come into existence on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the month of 1918. Each employee veteran was given a Veterans Day pin so they could be visibly recognized for their dedication to their country and their company. Following the ceremony complimentary refreshments from The Manna food truck were provided for employees to enjoy.

About World Shipping, Inc.

Since 1960, World Shipping has been active in serving shippers and receivers of international cargo operating in multiple segments, including vessel agency operations, freight forwarding, ocean freight, trucking, rail operations, warehousing and distribution, bulk liquid international logistics, and customs clearance. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, The World Group companies include World Shipping, Inc., ContainerPort Group, UWL, World Distribution Services, and NewPort Tank Containers.

CLEVELAND, OHIO (May 12, 2015) – WDS had the honor of being selected to handle the logistics for the domestic leg of the Formula E Championship racing circuit. This race circuit is comprised of ten stops around the globe starting in Beijing, China and finishing in London, UK with stops in famed cities such as Monte Carlo along with two stops in Miami and Los Angeles. This opportunity is as unique to WDS as Formula E racing is to that industry, as Formula E is the only fully-electric racing series. WDS was provided with the opportunity to work closely with the race coordinators and local officials to showcase our ability to handle project logistics for the two races in the US that took place in Miami, FL and Long Beach, CA. WDS was asked to coordinate all local transportation (port drayage), grounding of containers for safe unloading at the race location, material handling and after each race to assemble the materials for movement to the next location via domestic line haul (MIA to LAX) and export (LAX to Monte Carlo).

Jason Strickland of WDS, working alongside with our project logistics vendors, was in Miami, FL from March 2nd – March 7th to receive the 15 import containers arriving from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jason coordinated the local drayage and the use of cranes to assist with grounding the containers so that the cargo could be unloaded safely. This cargo was comprised of all the pit garages, the TV compound, pavilions, and the race control systems that were positioned at the finish line. Within 4 days (2 days ahead of schedule), all of the containers were unloaded, removed from the site and the materials assembled for the commencement of the race on March 14th. The Formula E race officials were extremely pleased with the preparation and execution of the project. Nice job Jason!

After the Miami race was completed, WDS coordinated the cargo loading onto flatbeds and the delivery to Long Beach, CA for the last race in the US on April 4th. Again, with the expert coordination from Jason our local vender team, the complex was rebuilt on site. After the race was completed, Jason was again on site in Los Angeles on April 5th to April 8th, to manage and coordinate all of the logistics and onsite labor. 15 containers were brought to the Long Beach Grand Prix site and grounded using multiple cranes so that the cargo could be safely loaded for export. Once the containers were successfully loaded and braced, Jason scheduled the returning of the containers to make an aggressive port cutoff date and saw them off to the next stop on the global circuit in Monte Carlo!

Our customer, Formula E race officials, the local officials and WDS vendors all have been very complimentary of the planning, coordination and execution by WDS team. We fully expect to handle this project next year and have similar opportunities going forward.

I personally want to thank Jason Strickland for his commitment to ensuring that this project was handled so professionally! Jason spent a considerable amount of time away from his family to guarantee that this project was executed the WDS way! Job well done!

Written by: John Morrow, Vice President, WDS

ABOUT WORLD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations.

In addition to the WDS corporate headquarters (located at 1340 Depot Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44116), WDS offers 14 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates seven intermodal Class I rail facilities in the US Midwest & the Columbus, OH that offer bulk transload services, specialized heavy & oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service.

WDS is a division of The World Group of Companies, leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.

CINCINNATI, OH (March 30, 2015) – World Distribution Services is proud to announce the opening of their new facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, taking place on April 1, 2015. WDS has held a presence in the Cincinnati/Kentucky region for over 15 years. This move marks a new chapter for the company, allowing WDS to expand the warehousing footprint and more readily compete in the Ohio Valley market. The expansion in Cincinnati adds to an already well established warehousing footprint WDS has in the Ohio Valley in Cleveland and Columbus.

Morrow continues: “This strategic expansion demonstrates how committed WDS is to the Ohio Valley market as well as our dedication to meeting our customers’ needs in 2015 and beyond.”

The new facility will be located at 3023 East Kemper Road, Building 13, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241.

ABOUT WORLD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations.

In addition to the WDS corporate headquarters (located at 1340 Depot Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44116), WDS offers 14 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates seven intermodal Class I rail facilities in the US Midwest & the Columbus, OH that offer bulk transload services, specialized heavy & oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service.

WDS is a division of The World Group of Companies, leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.

CHESAPEAKE, VA (March 6, 2015) – World Distribution Services has reached an agreement with Robert W. Jones Jr., President of D.D. Jones Transfer & Warehouse Co., to assume the company’s warehousing and distribution operations. The agreement joins together two entities that have been providing warehousing, distribution and transportation services to the Port of Virginia community for many years.

Founded in 1928 in the City of Norfolk by Robert Jones’ Grandfather, D.D. Jones Transfer & Warehouse grew into one of the region’s largest and most successful warehousing providers, having developed a reputation for old-fashioned service, responsive communication and exceptional dependability.

“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our presence through the relationship we have formed with D.D. Jones Transfer & Warehouse Company,” says WDS Vice President John Morrow. “The addition of the DD Jones business and staff increases our capacity and capabilities locally and showcases the strategic expansion plans we have developed for WDS in 2015 and beyond.”

World Distribution Services, a division of The World Group of Companies, is a leading provider of creative supply chain solutions. WDS leverages over 55 years of collective experience from its family of companies. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, WDS offers 13 strategic warehousing locations across the United States specializing in international and domestic warehousing and distribution, CFS deconsolidation, transportation and out-of-gauge services. The company also operates seven intermodal Class I rail facilities & the Columbus CTF that offers bulk agricultural transload services, specialized heavy & oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service.

World Distribution Services will operate the former DD Jones facility at 630 22nd St in Chesapeake and has retained the experienced staff to make the transition as smooth as possible for the former DD Jones customers.

ABOUT WORLD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

World Distribution Services (WDS) is a leading provider of creative domestic and global supply chain solutions, specializing in warehousing and logistics. WDS possesses the facilities, network, equipment, expertise and, most importantly, a team of professional, talented staff whose mission is to exceed customers’ expectations.

In addition to the WDS corporate headquarters (located at 1340 Depot Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44116), WDS offers 14 strategic warehousing locations across the United States including most major East Coast, Gulf and West Coast port locations. The company also operates seven intermodal Class I rail facilities in the US Midwest & the Columbus, OH that offer bulk transload services, specialized heavy & oversize transloading capabilities and private intermodal rail service.

WDS is a division of The World Group of Companies, leveraging over 55 years of collective experience in providing cargo transportation services across the globe.